U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee, a appointee of President Joe Biden, released a statement Friday addressing the numerous Chinese operated illegal marijuana grow sites across Maine.
“The success of our collective efforts is already evident with 40+ operations shut down and multiple arrests made over the last several months. We expect this law enforcement action to continue until the individuals operating the illegal grows come to understand that Maine is not a safe or hospitable place for such activity,” said McElwee.
The attorney highlighted the criminal enterprise’s connection to China as a reason for a sustained investigative and enforcement from federal and local authorities.
“The possibility that organized criminal enterprises with alleged ties to China are using Maine properties to profit from unlicensed marijuana operations and interstate distribution makes it clear that there is need for a strong and sustained federal, state and local effort to shut down and thoroughly investigate these operations,” said McElwee.
She discussed the collaboration between state and local law enforcement and federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), FBI, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and even the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) in numerous raids across the state.
While McElwee praised state law enforcement’s role in the raids, the Maine State Police has been conspicuously absent from the vast majority of raids against the criminal operations, especially in Somerset County.
Although McElwee also touted the involvement of the U.S. Attorney’s office in cracking down on the Chinese grows, currently only one suspect arrested in conjunction with the drug operation has faced federal charges.
She did, however, claim that the office is examining evidence which could lead to federal charges against more suspects tied to black market grows.
McElwee expressed her optimistic view that the continued law-enforcement crackdown on the grow sites will eventually make it impossible for the transnational criminal organizations to operate in Maine.
According to McElwee, there are only roughly 100 illegal grow sites in Maine, but that number is far lower than other sources have suggested.
A DHS memo, which originally revealed the existence of the illegal sites, claimed that there are over 270 such sites operating across the state.
In her statement, McElwee denied any connection between the Chinese grows and illegal immigration, claiming that all the criminals arrested are in the U.S. legally.
“The individuals tending these grows in homes across central Maine who have been encountered by law enforcement have been individuals who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents living in states like New York and Massachusetts,” said McElwee.
Some arrests made at the sites suggest that McElwee’s assessment is off the mark.
In December, police arrested three Asian men at a grow site in Machias.
Two of those men had no identification aside from Malaysian passports, while the third had a Chinese passport along with a New York driver’s license.
In that case, police believed that none of the three men arrested were lawful U.S. citizens, and their immigration status was not confirmed, as they left the county after their bail was posted and failed to appear in court.
In Late March, a bust in China, Maine, led to the arrest of Changeng Chen, a 36-year-old Chinese citizen who was scheduled for deportation after it was determined that he was in the country illegally.
Chen’s deportation was postponed after his attorney claimed that Chen had submitted a pending asylum claim.
McElwee’s claim that none of the criminals are illegal immigrants is based largely on the fact that many of them possess New York or Massachusetts drivers licenses.
Although law enforcement often considers the licenses as proof that the license holders are in the country legally, both New York and Massachusetts issue licenses to individuals regardless of immigration status. Maine also operates as a de facto sanctuary state, so law enforcement often doesn’t inquire about immigration status or cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
McElwee also denied that any of the illegal grow operations use human trafficking victims or forced labor.
The press release concluded with McElwee begging Mainers not to suspect homeowners of involvement in the criminal enterprise based on their names or racial identities.
“No Maine property owner or anyone else should ever be assumed to be part of a criminal enterprise simply because of their surname or nationality,” said McElwee.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="27714 https://www.themainewire.com/?p=27714">8 Comments
This program is being brought to you by… Election Year. Enjoy it while you can because like your income it’ll be gone soon.
McElwee…another politically appointed tool who is either dumb as a rock or complicit with the illegal alien invasion.
Ya, we believe you McElwee….(sarc)
Illegal Chinese are operating the illegal pot farms but illegal immigration and open borders have nothing to do with each other because NY and MA gave them drivers’ licenses?
Sorry lady, we aren’t that stupid.
What we really need in Maine are Federal charges against our alleged “governor”, who not only turns a blind eye to the communist marijuana grows, but profits from them personally.
“In her statement, McElwee denied any connection between the Chinese grows and illegal immigration, claiming that all the criminals arrested are in the U.S. legally.”
That’s because Bidey boy is kicking some ass down on the border.
Of course none of these individuals have forged documents. No, they wouldn’t do that.
There is a lot she has missed. Either she is working with them or she she is not the best bulb in the room. Do you have any info on the Saco Boys?
its weird that the options to link or repost a comment here are twitter or russian social media apps. anyone else noticing this? gee …. i wonder why???
McElwee, just another meat puppet of the Bidum/Oblahblah regime! The whole media release was BS and the media most likely just bobbleheaded the release! All the while the state police are standing down either because they don’t care about getting their hands dirty doing real police work or it’s under Mills direct command! And tell the REAL citizens not to pay attention? Really?? Sounds like Mainers need to be extra vigilant on foreigners that are acting suspicious! Just more unAmerican antics by Bidum and his asshat clowns!!